Forty-one miles of US Route 89 is designated as the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway between Logan and Garden City in northeastern Utah. Over half of the byway parallels the Logan River.
Logan Canyon began forming five hundred million years ago as the river cut through limestone, leaving steep canyon walls that attract rock climbers in all seasons. The limestone is filled with fossils where saber-toothed cats, woolly mammoths, and giant ground sloths once roamed. Fifteen thousand years ago, the river flowed into ancient Lake Bonneville, which once covered much of modern Utah.
After the lake receded about five thousand years ago, the Shoshone moved into the region. They regularly burned the canyon floor and meadows to drive bison and enable the growth of better forage for their horses. In those days, the riverbanks were covered with shrubs rather than tall trees, creating habitats for beavers that altered the river’s flow.
The drive through Logan Canyon is truly scenic, with dense forests, vertical rock formations, alpine wildflower meadows, and sweeping views. It traverses the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Wasatch is a Ute word meaning “low place in high mountains,” and Cache is the French word meaning “hidden.” The eastern end of the byway bestows a panoramic view of the turquoise waters of Bear Lake, which straddles the Utah-Idaho border.
The byway is a fall leaf-peeper’s paradise. The dense green foliage of spring and summer turns to flaming red maples and golden yellow aspens in the fall. The summer road trippers have retreated, leaving a serene change of seasons.
From the riverbanks to the top of the canyon walls and across the meadows, the area offers ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. And since there are no towns or homes here, the night skies are pristine for superb stargazing.
CAMPGROUNDS
- Bridger: Just six miles from the city of Logan; 10 sites
- Spring Hollow: 11 single sites, 1 double site, 1 group day-use site, 1 group overnight site
- Guinavah-Malibu: 34 sites, 3 double sites, 3 group sites for up to 100 people; large amphitheater with bleacher seating
- Preston Valley: 6 sites
- Red Banks: 12 sites on the banks of the river
- Sunrise: 26 sites; high elevation with views of Bear Lake
- Lodge: Located in the Right Hand Fork of Logan Canyon; 10 sites; access to the Great Western Trailhead
- Tony Grove: Located five miles from the highway on a paved road; 34 sites overlooking the lake; next to White Pines Day-Use area and the White Pines Lake Trailhead
HIKING
- River Trail: 3.7 miles one-way, easy, parallels the river along the highway and passes in front of the Stokes Nature Center
- Crimson Trail: 3 miles one-way, moderate
- Wind Cave: 2 miles one-way, moderate, short but steep trail, leads to a delicate triple arch that forms a natural cave
- Blind Hollow: 4.4 miles one-way, moderate, follows an intermittently flowing creek, connects to several other trails
- Temple Fork: 2.5 miles to the sawmill, easy, follows a creek
- White Pine Lake: 3.8 miles one-way, moderate, gradual climb with a steep drop to the lake
- Limber Pine Nature Trail: 1.5-mile loop, easy walk through fir, aspen, and wildflowers with interpretive signs, occasional views of Bear Lake
- Jardin Juniper: An intermediate single-track that leads to Utah’s oldest tree (Mountain Biking Resources)
PICNIC AND DAY-USE AREAS
- Second Dam Picnic Area: You’ll find access to the River Trail from this shaded picnic area as well as views of Second Dam.
- Card Picnic Area: Four single picnic sites with tables overlook the Logan River, or bring your own chairs to sit on the riverbank. This is a great fishing spot as well. Restroom facilities are available.
- Chokecherry Picnic Area: Four single picnic sites with tables, fire rings, and a restroom along the Logan River. Great fishing access.
- Dewitt Day-Use Area: Three single picnic sites with tables, fire rings, and a restroom. Close to a variety of outdoor recreation activities.
FISHING
The Logan River brings thirty miles of accessible roadside trout fishing through the canyon. The lower river near the three dams at the eastern canyon entrance holds brown and rainbow trout, while farther upstream, cutthroats and wild trout can be found in the clear waters. The blue-ribbon stream is also a great place for flyfishing. Snowmelt runoff makes the river mostly unfishable in May and June.
OTHER ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS
- Rock-climbing enthusiasts will find 275 routes on the vertical limestone canyon walls. Whether first time climber or an international crusher, there are plenty to keep you going for days.
- Logan Canyon Horseback Riding offers rides from 1-4 hours long for everyone from beginners to experts.
- Rick’s Spring features a grotto and a small cave for exploring. In the summer months, cool off in the grotto’s shallow water where you’ll find the spring in the back. Explore the cave, which extends back about 30 feet. Bring flashlights, preferably a headlamp.
- The Hobbit Caves are located about half a mile up Right Fork Canyon Road. These small caves are fun for both adults and kids to explore. The pathway also passes a short waterfall.
WINTER ACTIVITIES
The fun doesn’t end when the snow flies. The canyon provides access for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
- Beaver Mountain Ski Resort is the oldest continuously owned family ski resort in the country. With shorter lines and friendlier prices than the corporate-owned resorts, the four hundred inches of powdery snow offer some of the best skiing in the state. A few public night skiing sessions are available each season for a winter adventure under the stars. And when there isn’t snow on the ground, hiking, biking, and OHV trails are popular. The RV park, tent camping, and yurt rentals turn this into the perfect summer getaway.
- Logan Canyon Snowmobile Complex includes 180 miles of well-groomed snowmobiling trails that rank in the West’s top riding areas. The trails are groomed by the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation.
- Snowshoeing is popular in Logan Canyon. The Swan Flat Snowshoe Loop offers 4.3 miles of easy terrain, but many other trails are great for this winter activity, too.
STOKES NATURE CENTER
The Stokes Nature Center is located just a few miles from the city of Logan, inside the canyon. The log cabin-style building, originally owned by the Forest Service, serves as a science center, classroom, and gathering place for workshops, classes, and a wide range of events. They operate a nature-based Montessori preschool, host school programs and camps, and invite guests of all ages to their community programs and events, including Full Moon hikes, Canyon Jams, firefly and bat nights, and more.
